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Ex-USA Gymnastics doctor Nassar sentenced up to 175 years for sexual abuse

More than 150 victims shared stories of abuse before sentencing

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Updated: 4:15 PM CST Jan 24, 2018

Ex-USA Gymnastics doctor Nassar sentenced up to 175 years for sexual abuse

More than 150 victims shared stories of abuse before sentencing

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Updated: 4:15 PM CST Jan 24, 2018

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Ex-USA Gymnastics doctor Nassar sentenced up to 175 years for sexual abuse

More than 150 victims shared stories of abuse before sentencing

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Updated: 4:15 PM CST Jan 24, 2018

Larry Nassar, a formerly well-respected USA Gymnastics doctor, who used his reputation to take advantage of and molest scores of young victims, was sentenced 40 to 175 years in prison for his sexual assaults.

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The sentencing came after a week of more than 150 of Nassar's victims giving emotional statements, ranging from anger to subdued forgiveness, while the Michigan doctor hid his head and dabbed his eyes with tissues.

"An acceptable apology for you is impossible," Nassar said in prepared remarks. "I will carry your words with me the rest of my days."

The rest of his days that are now assured to be spent in prison.

Nassar's sentence adds to the 60-year federal prison sentence he already received for child pornography crimes. The 54-year-old faces another sentencing hearing after pleading guilty to three charges of criminal sexual conduct in Eaton County in Michigan.

Aquilina heard from the final set of victims Wednesday morning, including one of the first athletes to accuse Nassar of sexual assault.

Rachael Denhollander is a Kentucky lawyer who stepped forward in 2016 after the sports’ governing body was accused of mishandling complaints of sexual assault. She said Nassar groped, fondled and penetrated her with his hands when she was a 15-year-old gymnast in Michigan.

“You have become a man ruled by selfish and perverted desires,” she told Nassar.

Nassar, who also worked for Michigan State University, pleaded guilty to assaulting seven people in the Lansing area, but the sentencing hearing was open to anyone who said they were a victim. His accusers said he would use his ungloved hands to penetrate them, often without explanation, while they were on a table seeking help for various injuries.

The accusers, many of whom were children, said they trusted Nassar to care for them properly and were in denial about what was happening or were afraid to speak up. He sometimes used a sheet or his body to block the view of any parent in the room.

“I cannot believe I ever trusted you, and I will never forgive you,” gymnast Brooke Hylek said Tuesday. “I’m happy you will be spending the rest of your life in prison. Enjoy hell, by the way.”

The NCAA is also examining how Michigan State handled the case. Former Spartan athletes are among the more than 150 women and girls who have spoken over the last week. Women’s gymnastics coach Kathie Klages resigned last year after she was suspended for defending Nassar over the years.

NCAA spokeswoman Stacey Osburn said Tuesday the organization has sent a letter of inquiry to the school “regarding potential NCAA rules violations related to the assaults Larry Nassar perpetrated against girls and young women, including some student-athletes at Michigan State.” She declined further comment in an email to The Associated Press.

A university spokesman confirmed the NCAA had sent a letter, but said he had not seen it and it is being reviewed to prepare a response.

Michigan lawmakers voted overwhelmingly for a resolution seeking the ouster of the Michigan State University’s president.

The state House approved the nonbinding measure hours after Nassar was sentenced.The resolution said legislators have “lost confidence” in President Lou Anna Simon’s ability to lead a transparent investigation, to implement changes, to protect students and to lead the university. It calls for her to resign or be fired by Michigan State’s governing board.

The board so far has stood behind Simon, while awaiting a review by Michigan’s attorney general.